Nebraska
Nebraska Pharmacist Association (NPA) Chief Executive Officer Joni Cover announced she would be leaving NPA to take a policy and legal position the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. NACDS salutes Joni for her seventeen years leadership at NPA.
Also in Nebraska… The Nebraska Pharmacist Association (NPA) announced the appointment of Dr. Kendra Kapels, PharmD, RP, to the NPA Board of Directors. Dr. Kapels is a pharmacist at Walgreens in Columbus and currently chairs the NPA Chain Network.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Nevada
In response to an invitation by Nevada Senator Nicole Cannizzaro and her Committee to Conduct an Interim Study Concerning the Costs of Prescription Drugs authorized by Senate Bill 276 (2019), NACDS prepared comments for our in-state partner, Liz MacMenamin with the Retail Association of Nevada, to present to legislators at the second of five meetings held on February 28th. Other panelists testifying were representatives from PCMA, health plans, BIOS, PhRMA, generic manufacturers, AARP, and the culinary union. The purpose of the committee is to identify solutions for drafting legislation for the 2021 session. For more information go to – https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/InterimCommittee/REL/Interim2019/Committee/1574/Meetings
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
NACDS joined the Community Pharmacy Association of New York State in meetings with over two dozen legislators on provisions in Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal. Nearly a dozen NACDS member companies advocated in support of the budget proposal to expand a pharmacist ‘s authority to immunize and the proposal to regulate and reform of PBMs. The Governor also proposed a $2.5 Billion cut to Medicaid. NACDS strongly opposed any reductions in the Medicaid program which would impact our reimbursement and offered to work with the Department to achieve savings in other areas. The budget must be final before April 1, 2020.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Oklahoma
March 10, 2020 is Pharmacy Legislative Day at the Capitol.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Texas
NACDS and the Texas Federation of Drug Stores led the new Board of Pharmacy public member Rick Tisch on a behind the counter tour of the H-E-B pharmacy in Tomball. Pharmacy manager Craig Gracey and compliance manager Jason Davis did an excellent job demonstrating workflow and pharmacy processes. They also discussed the additional services pharmacists provide and ways that the profession can positively impact patient outcomes. Tisch left the pharmacy with a better understanding of the value of our pharmacy technicians and how increasing the ratio and expanding administrative duties will have a positive impact patient care.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Wisconsin
The ForwardHealth portal has been updated to include state and specialty pharmacy drug reimbursement rates effective March 1st.
Also in Wisconsin… The Department of Health Services issued a report outlining geographic gaps in services to address the opioid epidemic, including areas not served by pharmacies providing naloxone under a standing order.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Indiana
NACDS filed comments in support of HB 1207 with the Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee. This bill would allow a pharmacist to substitute a therapeutic alternative for epinephrine products for a patient and requires the Department of Health to issue a statewide standing order for the dispensing of auto-injectable epinephrine. Subject to rules adopted by the Board of Pharmacy, the bill also allows a pharmacy technician to administer an influenza immunization to an individual under a drug order or prescription and to transfer prescriptions.
Also in Indiana... NACDS filed comments with the Indiana House of Representatives Insurance Committee in support of provisions of Senate Bill 241 that would help protect the viability of retail community pharmacies. The legislation would help ensure that pharmacies are fairly and properly reimbursed by requiring pharmacy contracts to have clearly defined drug pricing and reimbursement methodologies and audit practices, by prohibiting the charging of unreasonable fees on pharmacies, and by allowing pharmacies to contest changes in their reimbursement.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Iowa
The Iowa Medicaid Enterprise issued an Informational Letter clarifying how pharmacists can enroll as providers, enabling them to order and dispense naloxone and smoking cessation products, as well as order and administer vaccines to Medicaid members. Payment for pharmacists enrolled as providers will be effective July 1, 2020. For more information, please see the Iowa Pharmacy Association Journal article.
Also in Iowa... NACDS reminds members that the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise’s biennial cost of dispensing survey was sent to pharmacies on February 4 and is due by March 26. More information can be found on a recent Informational Letter.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Kentucky
NACDS is seeking member comments on SB 50 as recently amended and passed by the Senate. The includes provisions on Single PDL and PBM; PBM transparency, clawback prohibitions, any willing provider, and allows Medicaid to set reimbursement rate in managed care according to CMS Guidance. It also would allow the department to have differential PDF rates based on pharmacy types. Please send your comments ASAP to Jill McCormack, NACDS State Director, at jmccormack@nacds.org.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Minnesota
The Department of Human Services’ State Maximum Allowance Cost list and Specialty Maximum Allowance Cost list are posted online, with information, as of February 17, 2020.
Also in Minnesota... Pharmacies can bill the administration of injectable antipsychotics and the medication Vivitrol for fee-for-service members as medical claims, not pharmacy claims, for dates of service on or after July 1, 2019. More information can be found on the Minnesota Health Care Programs Provider News web page.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Missouri
NACDS reminds members about the Rx Cares for Missouri Medication Destruction and Disposal Program, which provides resources for the collection of unused/unwanted medication from the public for disposal. Applications are now being accepted.
Also in Missouri... The Board of Pharmacy has posted its slides from the February 20 Regulatory Update webinar. Of note, future rulemaking will include minimum standards for multi-med dispensing, pharmacist prescribing of nicotine replacement products, and technician supervision.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Wisconsin
The Department of Health Services is seeking to expand coverage of opioid treatment services in underserved geographic areas of the state and for underserved populations. More information about the request for proposals can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Alabama
The CURES Act Fee Schedule has been updated and is available on the Alabama Medicaid website under the DME Fee Schedules section. All claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2020 will be reimbursed with the 2020 rate. Additional questions may be directed to the Alabama Medicaid Agency DME Policy Unit at (334) 242-5050.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
The Board of Pharmacy recently adopted emergency regulations implementing SB 159, the PEP/PrEP law passed in 2019, and agreed to move forward with rulemaking to permanently adopt rules. These emergency regulations were sent to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) which has ten days to approve and file the regulations with the Secretary of State. Emergency rules are only effective for 180 days but can be readopted until permanent rules are adopted.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Florida
Senate Bil 714, testing for and treatment of influenza and streptococcus, was amended to remove streptococcus, heard and passed out favorably from the Senate Health Policy Subcommittee with a vote of 6-3 on February 19th. The next stop is the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. NACDS had previously written a letter in support of the bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Idaho
House Bill 386 – PBM Reform Legislation successfully passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee this week. The bill is now on the Senate 2nd reading calendar, prepared for final passage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Iowa
A subcommittee of the Senate Human Resources Committee advanced SSB 3164 (formerly SF 2019), legislation to expand immunization authority and create statewide protocol for test and treat of strep and flu, despite concerns expressed by physician groups. NACDS asks members operating in Iowa to look for grassroots action alerts from the Iowa Pharmacy Association to engage the full Human Resources Committee.
Also in Iowa... The Senate Committee on Human Resources passed SF 123, legislation pertaining to collaborative practice in the commercial payer space. However, the Committee discussion will likely lead to future amendments to expand the bill to include Medicare and Medicaid, which could hinder further progress.
Also in Iowa... A subcommittee of the House Human Resources Committee advanced HSB 582, which would permit partial dispensing fees for partial fills. NACDS strongly opposes this legislation and is working with in-state partners to prevent further advancement of the bill.
Also in Iowa... A subcommittee of the House Human Resources Committee advanced HSB 685, legislation pertaining to Pharmacy Benefit Management companies. NACDS is reviewing the legislation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Louisiana
The Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Courtney Phillips, was hired by Gov. John Bel Edwards to serve as the chief of the Louisiana Department of Health. Phillips is replacing former Secretary Rebekah Gee who announced her retirement last month as the head of Louisiana’s largest state agency.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Michigan
The Department of Health and Human Services is continuing its series of Town Hall meetings across the State about the opioid epidemic. More information about the March 12 Town Hall in Sterling Heights, as well as future Town Hall dates and locations, can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Minnesota
The Department of Human Services has selected Mercer to perform the upcoming cost of dispensing survey per the State’s implementation of the CMS Covered Outpatient Drugs rule. NACDS will share more information as it becomes available.
Also in Minnesota... NACDS reviewed HF 3223 pertaining to biologics, determining it will remain neutral on the bill. NACDS has no historical position on the plan design issue addressed in the legislation. However, NACDS will monitor and has alerted members to this legislation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Missouri
HB 1693, legislation to create a statewide Prescription Monitoring Program, has cleared the House, but is expected to encounter the same Senate filibuster threat as in previous years. NACDS continues to engage in-state partners on the issue.
Also in Missouri... Pharmacist Senator David Sater and the Missouri Pharmacy Association kicked off the introduction of SB 971, legislation pertaining to Pharmacy Benefit Management companies, with a press conference that garnered considerable media attention.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Nebraska
LB 1196, NPA’s legislation addressing Pharmacy Benefit Management companies, is scheduled for a hearing before the Banking, Commerce, and Industry Committee on Monday, February 24, at 1:30 pm.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Oklahoma
NACDS submitted comments to the Health Care Authority on proposed rules enhancing drug utilization review program requirements intended to promote safe and intended use of opioid medications.
Also in Oklahoma... NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy urging them to amend their regulations under review to expand the administrative duties of pharmacy technicians.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Texas
The Health and Human Services Commission’s Medicaid Standing Order covers mosquito repellents for the prevention of the Zika virus for four programs: Medicaid (both traditional and managed care), Children’s Health Insurance Program, Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program and Healthy Texas Women Program. This order serves as a prescription and allows pharmacists to dispense mosquito repellent under the terms of the order. Beginning February 18th, people enrolled in the Healthy Texas Women Program will now require a prescription to receive mosquito repellents.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Washington
The Senate unanimously passed 2nd Substitute Senate Bill 5601 – Health Care Benefit Manager reform. Requiring registration with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and transparency. The Bill now goes to the House.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.